Bag-machine.



No. 858,005. PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907.

J. L. LOWE.

BAG MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED MAY 26. 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WIT/#55555 //YVEH70/ JAMES- L-LOWE.

ATT'Y.

PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907.

J. L. LOWE. BAG- MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q W1 TNE56 Es kl van 70a rvwm -JAMES- l LOWE.-

No. 858,005. PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907.

J. L. LOWE.

BAG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26.1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES er/Tale -JAME5- l LOWIi' PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907.

J. L. LOWE.

BAG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY26,1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

wllllllllllllllllllllll MHIIUIHHHHHHIHHHIIHIIHI H II Hlll WH- ATT'V.

MTHESS [E5 PATENTED JUNE 25, 1907.

Y J. L. LOWE.

BAG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY26.1904.

6 SHEETS-HEIGHT B lllll""lllllll;llllllll llll llllllllllll II .ngwnnynll -JAMES L Lowl BYWWM ATT'v.

.JAMES L. LOWE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

BAG-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1907.

Application filed May 26,1904. Serial No. 209.963-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES L. Lown, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ba -Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to machines for manufacturing bags and it is the object of the invention to obtain a construction which is thoroughly automatic, is adapted for forming various sizes and shapes of bags, and delivers the product not only completely sewed but also turned and. ready for use.

The invention consists in various features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one side of the machine. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the. opposite side of the machine. Figs. 4 and 5 are elevations. of the opposite end of the machine. Fig. 6 is a section through a portion of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an elevation of a portion of the bag-turning mechanism. Fig. 8 is 'a detail view of a portion of the bagturner. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the drive connections. Fig. 10 is a detail face view of the cam G, showing a on the cross bare engaging the cam way, and Fig. 1-1 is a de' tail view in full lines of a portion of Fig. 4 in larger scale and showing the anti friction roller j engaged by the wedge 71.

Generally described the machine comprises mechanism for continuously feeding a web of cloth and an intermittent feed for the end portion of the web, an associated cutter for successively severing the bag blanks therefrom, folding mechanism, stitchingmechanism and bag turning and delivering mechanism which successively operate upon the sever'ed blank. In detail, the web of ,cloth is fed continuously by a pair of feed .rollsA mounted upon a suitable frame B which also supports the other parts of the mechanism.

C is an intermittent feed to which the web is delivered from the rolls A, and which as shown is in the form of a feed roll arranged above a table D.

E is a severing cutter adjacent to thetable D p F is an intermittently actuating carrier adjacent to the severing cutter and operating synchronously with the intermittent feed roll 0.

The roll C, cutter E and carrier F are pref- Fig. 11.

erably operated in properly timed relation by the following mechanism :G is a rotary cam which is provided with a suitable camway engaging the pin a on the cross bar a, whereby said cross bar' is operated. This cross bar is connected by rods b with the sliding crosshead c, towhich the cutter is E secured. This crosshead c is guided in suitable slotted bearings d upon the frame, and is normally held in its elevated position by the springs e. The cam G is so shaped that when in such elevation it will depress the crossbar a and draw the crosshead 0 downward, thereby causing the cutter E to descend and effecting the shearing of the web. The roll 0 is driven through the medium of a worm gear, comprising the worm wheel f on the roll and the worm g on the continuously driven shaft h. To arrest the feed during the operation of the cutter, the worm g is thrown out of mesh with the worm wheel f,

referably by means of a wedge "i on the cross sad 0 which engages with a sliding bearing j, in which the end of the shaft his j ournaled. The worm g is normally held in engagement with the worm wheel f by the spring 3' as clearly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 and The bearing 1 is preferably bifurcated to embrace the worm wheel f and is slotted to engage with and be guided upon the shaft of the roll C. The opposite end of the shaft 7b is journaled in a pivotal bearing upon a shaft is from which motion is communicated to the shaft it through the medium of beveled gears Z. hus, whenever the cross head 0 is drawn down by the cam G, the wedge i bearing against the anti-friction roll j upon'the bearings y' will cause the separation of the worm from the worm wheel overcoming the tension of the spring 3' which returns the worm when the wedge is withdrawn, thereby arresting movement of the roll The carrier F is preferably in the form of a series of belts m which pass around pulleys upon a pair of shafts n. One of these shafts is provided with a pulley 0 which is connected by. the cross belt 0 with the pulley 0 upon the shaft of the roll 0. Thus, whenever the roll 0 is in operation the carrier F is also moved at a speed corresponding to the feeding speed of the roll. As soon, however, as movement of the roll is arrested, the carrier F will also remain stationary, with the result that the strip of fabric which has been fed by the roll and carrier will remain stalower end with t e shaft g.

sis

tionaryduring the descent'of the cutter E, which severs the blank.

The folding of the severed blank is accomplished by the swinging of a series of folding fingers H which are arranged to pass upward between the belts m and carry the outer end of the blank over the inner portion thereof. This operation. may be performed simultaneously with the-severing of the blank by the descending cutter E, and the fingers H are arranged to fold the blank exactly in its center so that the outer edge will be brought into contact with the severing knife in exact alinement with the inner edge. The knifethus acts to secure an exact alinement of the folded edges and also as a guide for feeding to the stitching means. In order that bags of various widths may be formed on the same machine the fingers H are adjustable in position, and to that end are mounted upon a rock shaft p which is journaled in adjustable bearings p upon a frame B. The rock shaft p is actuated by a cam g upon a shaft g whichisdriven through the medium of beveled gear Wheels 9 from the shaft G, on which the cam wheel G is mounted. 1" is a rack, one end of which. bears a pin engaging a suitable camway g, the opposite end being in mesh with a gear seg ment 1" on the shaft The rack 1' is guided in a frame 1' which is slotted to engage the shaft p and is iv otally connected at its v The construction just described is such that the cam q is driven in timed relation to the movement of the camG, and is sofashioned that during the descent of the cutter E the rack 1' will be actuated to rotate the gear segment 1" and rock the shaft p, thereby swingin the fingersH and causin them' to fold t e blank.

Where the width 0 the blank to be folded is altered the bearings p may be adjusted, and

, on account of the engagement of the frame 1".

with: the shaft 1) the engagement of the rack rwith .the gear segmentsr will be maintained in all positions of adjustment.

The blank folded by the mechanism above I described is next fed laterally so as to clear the table D and carrier F and permit another section of the Web 'to be fed thereon. The

feeding of the folded blank is preferably accomplished by the following mechanism I is ablock adapted to travel upon the track swing between guide segments I.

I. This block is actuated by a link I which connects it with a lever I pivotally secured near the base of the frame and adapted to The lever I is actuated bya cam-J- on the shaft G preferably through the medium of the rod J, multiplying levers J and'J and links J and J the latter being connected to the lever 1 Thus, motion impartedto the rod J through thecam J wlll'be communicat'ed to the block I, and by reason of the multiplying levers the degree of movementimparted to the block is when fed by the toothed plate K.

greatly in excess of the movement of the rod J. Journaled in the block I is a shaftK which extends over the table L, extending laterally from the carrier F and table D. The shaft K has secured thereto the toothed plate K, and loose upon the shaft are the fingers 'K which are adapted to slide over the table L. K is a ratchet wheel on the shaft K with which a pivotal dog K is normally engaged and K is a rock arm secured to the shaft K, and having an anti-friction roll K. at its outer end. The arrangement is suchthat when the block I is reciprocated by themechanism described, the shaft K will be carried thereby over the table L, and the mechanism is so timed that before the blank on the carrier F is folded the fingers K will be moved over-the edge of the blank so that when folded saidfingers will be between the two plies of cloth- The toothed plate K is held above the tableL by the engagement of the dog K with the ratchet wheel K and furthermore the position of this plate during the folding of the blank-is such as to clear the edge of the cloth. As soon, however, as the folding is accomplished, the block I is moved still farther toward the carrier F, and in so doing the dog K striking against the stop K on the frame will releasethe ratchet wheel K and permit the plate K to drop down upon the two plies of cloth over which it has moved. The opposite movement is then given to the block 1 which will cause the toothed plate K to draw the folded blank from off the carrier F on to the During the movement of-the blank by the toothed plate K, the adjacent edges are turned so as to form a fold or hem before stitching. This turning may be effected :by a suitable device such 'as L .arranged on the table L.

The next operation is to stitch theedges to form a longitudinal seam in'the bag. For this purpose a sewing machine M is arranged at one point in the table L and in the path of the hem-turned edges of the folded bllalrlik 1s sewing machine may be of any suitable construction, and as shown in the drawings it 1s driven by the vertical shaft M and suitable gearing connected thereto. As soon as the end of the blank engages with the sewing machine it is fed and stitched and the blank still remains in engagement with the toothed plate K which is actuated by the cam J so as to be fed at the same speed as the feeding of seam for the purpose of sewing the end of the bag. The carrier N as shown consists of a pair of chains 8 which pass around sprockets upon shafts s journaled in the frame, and these chains 3 are attached to a series of pairs of rods t, which are illustrated in detail in Fig. 7. One member of apair of rods is attached directly to the chains and the other is pivoted to a bracket t. and is held by the spring t so that the free ends of the rods are in contact with each other. In this position two pairs of rods t stand in the path of the folded blank, and by reason of the fact that the fingers K are inserted between plies of said blank the rods t willv also enter between plies in engagement with the arms t on the carrier N. The toothed plate K is then disengaged by movement of the rock arm K which rides up an incline O on the frame, thereby causing the rocking of the shaft K.

The dog K will then engage with the ratchet wheel K and prevent the plate K from again dropping at the return movement of the block 1. Before this-return movement and after the disengagement of the toothed plate K, the block I is moved a slight distance farther, so as to disengage the fingers K from between the plies of the bag and permit them during the return movement to ride over the bag back to theposition for engagement withanother blank.

The next operation is to stitch the end of the bag which is preferably accomplished by the same machine M which is used for stitching the longitudinal seam. To this end the machine M is given a quarter turn upon the table L so as to change its direction of feed into a line at right angles to the former direction. The turning of the machine is effected by a cam P upon the shaft G. This cam is provided with a suitable camway and actuates a pin on the reciprocatory rod P which at its .a rod 'Q adjacent to'the rod P.

opposite end has formed thereon a rack meshing with a gear segment P on the base of the sewing machine M. The frame of the machine M is pivoted upon the shaft M and the table of the machine is circular and fits in a corresponding recess in the table L, so as to form a portion of said table. Thus a movement of the rack on the rod P will cause a turning of the machine through a quarter of a revolution. It is desirable that this turning should be effected as quickly as possible, and also that after the stitching of the end of the bag that the machine should be quickly returned into a position to form the longitudinal seam of a succeeding bag. The cam P is therefore fashioned with substantially radial portions over which the rod P travels during its reciprocation. The movement. of the rod is effected by springs Q which are sleeved upon The springs Q are alternately placed under tensionby a block'Q sliding upon the rod Q and actuated by a cam Q on the shaft G.

will cause a quick movement of the rod along the. radial portion effecting a turning of the sewing machine. The rod P will theniremain stationary during the rotation of the shaft G and cams P and Q while the latter will move the block Q so as to relieve the tension from the one spring Q and place the other spring Qunder tension. As soon there fore as the next radial portion in the cam P is reached, the rod P will be moved oppositely by the tension of the spring. During the stitching of the longitudinal seam, the cam J feeds the bag longitudinally at the same rate as the feed of the machine. In like manner during the end stitching of the bag the carrier N is actuated to feed the bag at the same rate as the feeding of the machine. This carrier N is intermittently actuated through the medium of suitable mechanism which as shown comprises the beveled gear wheels u connecting one of the shafts s with a shaft u. This shaft u has mounted thereon the friction wheel 0) for engaging with a friction disk 4) on the shaft w. The friction devices v and v are periodically thrown into or out of engagement by a cam w on the shaft to which engages with a bearing upon the shaft u, the arrangement being such that motion is imparted to the'carrier N after the engage ment of a bag therewith and during the stitching across the end of the bag, after which the carrier will remain stationary until another bag has been engaged therewith.

The final operation of the machine is the turning and delivering of the bag; This is accomplished by a reciprocating member R in conjunction with the pairs of rods t on the carrier N. The arrangement is such that the rods t upon which a bag is held after the stitching of bag are moved into engagement IIO with a bar or. plate S which causes the mov able rods to be actuated against the tension of the spring t so as to separate the free ends of the rods. The member R which has a flat head R is then moved. to pass between the rods on opposite sides of the bag with the result that the bag will be drawn ofi from the rod 't and turned over the head E. This head is moved a sufficient distance to engage the end of the bag thereon with the pa1r of rolls T between Which the bag is fed over the rockingfarm U which operates'to discharge the completed bag from the machine. The member R is reciprocated by suitable mechanism. such as the gear wheel V on the shaft G which is adapted to mesh alternately with the racks W and W arranged on opposite sides thereof. These'racks are connected to each other and are pivotally connected at W of gears 2.

I is driven from the shaft 2 by-the sprocket and with a shaft wt.

with the member R which is mounted upon a l and a pivoted clamping member engaging rod R slidingly secured in bearings on the frame. The shaft G hasmounted thereon a cam- W which engages with flanges W on the racks Wand W, and is adapted to ,move said racks in or out of mesh with the gear wheel V. In order that the required movement may be given to the member R, the gear wheel V/is speeded up to revolve faster thanthe shaft G, and this is accomplished through a train of gears X, one member X of which is fixed upon the shaft G and the opposite end of the train engages with a Wheel X fixed to i the gear wheel V. With this mechanism the member R is reciprocated once in each revolution of the shaft G, so as to disengage and turn the bag.

The various parts of the mechanism described are driven though the drive connections which are arranged. as follows: The shaft k constitutes the maindrive shaft of the machine, and is itself driven by suitable connections with a pulley 7c thereon. As has been described the feed rollC is driven from the shaft'lc through the medium of the beveled gear wheel I, shaft 72, and worm gear wheels f and g, while the carrier F is also driven through this connection together with the pulleys 0 and 0 and cross belt 0. 'The feed rolls A are driven from the shaft 7c through the medium of beveled gear wheels on, shaft w and worm gears m as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. from this shaft through the .beveled gear wheels ywhich connect it to the shaft M. The

shaft G and the shaft g geared thereto are both driven from a shaft 2 which is connected to the shaft through the medium of a train The gears in this train may be changed whenever it is desired to adjust the machines for different speeds or to vary the size of the bag which is formed. The shaft 'w chain connection 10*, and this shaft 10 is connected through the-beveled gear wheels 'w The latter actuates the dischar e frame U through the medium. of a v inion on the shaft of said frame Whic is adapted to mesh with a mutilated ear wheel U on theshaft w, the arrangement eing such that each revolution of the shaft w will cause the rocking of the frame U and aftefr the disengagement of the mutilated blank, stitching means',3and means for feed-v ing the folded blank to said stitching means,

including a finger and a clamping-member L -a begim c iti s blank, stitching means, and means. for feed: ing the folded blank to said stitching means engaging respectively between and over said folded blank- 1 w I s for folding the including a'finger engaging between the folds,

The sewing machine is also driven.

the inner portion thereof, simultaneously.

with the severing operation, the outer edge of the folded portion of the blank contacting with the cutter, whereby it will be brought in. alinement with the inner edge.

- 4. In a bag machine, the combination with means for intermittently feeding a strip of material, a cutter for severing a blank therefrom, stitching mechanism, and means for folding the outer end of the blank upon the inner ortion, the cutter acting as an. abutment orthe respective edges, and means for feeding the same to said stitching mechanism.

5. In a bag machine, the combination with afeeding mechanism fora strip of material, of

folding and stitching mechanism arranged in the plane of feed, and a severing cutter intermediate the strip feeding and folding mechanisms, the folding means alining the severed edges in contactwith said cutter, whereby the same will be brought in a proximate alinement with said stitching mec anism.

6. In a bag machine, the combination with feeding mechanism for a strip of material, a severing cutter, means for feeding the severed blank transversely of said first mentioned feeding mechanism, and stitching mechanism to which said blank is fed, in approximate alinement with said cutter and arranged in the plane of feed of said strip, and folding mechanism operating in the same plane intermediate the severing cutter, and stitching mechanism to aline the severed edges of the blank with said cutter.

7. In a bag machine, the combination .with

means for severing blanks of difierent length from a strip'of material, ofadjustable means for folding one half of saidiblank upon the other half thereof. I 8. In abag machine, the combination with 9. In a bag machine, the combination with means for severing a' blank from a strip of material, a slotted support -on which said blank is fed, and a series of folding fingers arran edto swing'upward through the slots in sai support to fold one portion of said blank over another portionthereof during said sever ng o eratio'n.

' i 10.- n .a bag machine, the combination ,with means for. severing a blank from a st'ri ;.of material,. lo fa slottedsupport on .Whic

said. blank is fed, and a series of folding,fin-

gers-pivo'ted to swing upward through the slots in said support to turn one portion of said blank over another portion thereof, and

. means for adjusting the pivotal points to shift the line of folding.

11. In a bag machine, the combination With means for severing a blank from a strip of material, of a slotted carrier on which said blank is fed, and a series of folding fingers pivoted to swing upward through the slots in said carrier to fold one portion of said blank upon another portion thereof, and means for adjusting the point of folding.

12. In a bag machine, the combination With a feed roll for advancing a strip of material, a slotted endless carrier in advance of said feed roll, means for driving said roll and carrier at the same speed, a series of swinging folding fingers operating in the slots of said carrier, a cutter between said feed roll and carrier, and means operated by said cutter in its cutting stroke for simultaneously arresting movement of said roll and carrier.

13. In a bag machine, the combination With means for severing a blank from a strip of material, of means for folding said blank in the plane of feed, means for folding adjacent edges of the folded blank, stitching mechanism, a single means for transferring the folded blank to said stitching mechanism and for continuing the feeding thereof beyond the same.

14. In a bag machine, the combination with stitching mechanism, of means for folding a .blank, a carrier for feeding the folded blank to said stitching mechanism, fingers on.

said carrier arranged to be inserted between plies of said folded blank, a holder associated with said carrier for engaging between plies adjacent to said fingers durin the stitching and feeding of said folded blan 15. In a bag machine, the combination with means for feeding a folded blank longi- 'tudinally thereof, of stitching mechanism for seaming the edges of said blank, a holder over which said blank is fed during the stitching thereof, and means for moving said holder transversely during the stitching of said blank. '16. In a bag machine, the combination with means for fee ding a folded blank in two directions at right angles to each other, of a stitching machine arranged at the intersection of the two paths of feed of the blank, and means for turning said stitching machine simultaneously with the change of-directijon of feed.

17. In a bag machine, the combination with mechanism for successively severing, folding and stitching a blank, of a holder with which the bag is engaged during its final stitching operation, and means for removing the bag from said holder and simultaneously turning the same.

rial across the path of the cutter, operating means for said roller, a Wedge on said cutter engaging an anti-friction bearing on said operating means for spacing the same from the roller during the movement of the cutter, and folding mechanism for the severed blank.

19. The combination with a periodically operated severing cutter, of a feed roller for advancing a strip of material across the path of said cutter, drive mechanism for said feed roller including a worm and gear, a bearing for one of said members having slidable engagement with the shaft of the feed roller, means operated by the cutter for engaging said bearing and spacing the drive members apart, and folding mechanism for the severed blank.

20. In a bag machine, means for folding the blank and stitching means, in combination with means for feeding the folded blank to said stitching means including oppositely disposed fingers and an intermediately arranged clamp, and means whereby said fingers will assume a position which'will be between the folds of the blank when unfolded, and said means also 0 erating to place the clamp over the folded b ank. I

21. In a bag machine, means for feeding and folding the blank, a stitching means for the folded blank, in. combination with means for feeding the folded blank transversely of said first mentioned feed to said stitching means, including oppositely disposed fingers and a pivoted clamp, and means for operating said fingers before the blank folding means whereby said fingers assume a position whichwill be between the folds of the blank when folded, and for automatically swinging the clamping means into and out of engagement with the outer surface of one of the folds.

22. In a bag machine, the combination with means for feeding a strip of material, a cutter for severing a blank therefrom, and folding means alining the severed edges in contact with said cutter for the purpose described.

23. In a bagmachine, the combination with means for feeding a strip of material, a cutter for severing a blank therefrom, foldin means for the blank, stitching instrumenta ities, and. the said cutter constituting a guide for approximately alining the folded edges of the blank with said stitching instrumentalities.

24. In a bag machine, the combinatlon with means for feeding a strip of material, a

cutter for severing a blank therefrom, folding means alining the severed edges in contact with said cutter, and stitching instrumentalitiesarranged in approximate alinement-With the edge of said cutter.

25. In a bag machine, the combination with a feeding mechanism for a stri of material, ofmeans for arresting the en portion I and means forholding sald end portionsimulwith said severing.

of said strip and severing a blank therefrom, folding the end of said strip simultaneously 1o taneously with the severing thereof. I In testimony whereof I affix my signature 26. In a bag machine, the combination in presence of two witnesses. with a continuous feeding mechanism for a 1 JAMES L. LOWE. strip of material, of means for eriodically Witnesses: arresting the end ortion of said strip, and Las P. BARRY, \severing a blank t erefrom, and means for H.-C. SMITH. 

